PSAT Writing : Identifying Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 :Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Bianca andthe sisterwere at oddsbecausealthough they were members of the same family, they feltdifferentlyabouttheirparents' divorce.No error
their
differently
No error
because
the sister
the sister
这句话出现的错误,我们是托尔d that Bianca and her sister disagree over their parents' divorce, but her sister is presented abstractly; the correct usage of "her sister" allows the individual mentioned to be presented in relation to Bianca. Without the "her," we cannot be certain what the relation is, although it is clearly indicated elsewhere in the sentence.
Example Question #1 :Identifying Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Since Mollywonfirst place and Meg won second,she washonoredat颁奖ceremonyafter dinner.No error
won
she was
No error
at
after dinner
she was
This sentence has an ambiguous pronoun. To whom does "she" refer? You could fix this either by referring to both women with "they," if it is indeed the case that both were honored at the awards ceremony after dinner, or by replacing "she" with the name of the woman being specified.
Example Question #1 :Identifying Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Mr. Harris told Mr. Jarvins that at the latest staff meeting, the owner of the companyexpresseda stronginterest inpromotinghimto a seniorexecutiveposition.No error
executive
him
No error
interest in
expressed
him
This sentence contains an ambiguous pronoun. We don't know whether "him" refers to Mr. Harris or Mr. Jarvins, so "him" is the error in the sentence. If we wanted to fix the error, we would have to replace "him" with the unique name of the person—Mr. Harris or Mr. Jarvins—being considered for the promotion.
Example Question #1 :Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Jim and Tommywerelate to work for the fourth time that week,sincetheyhad to pickherup at the airport and her flight was late.No error
were
since
they
No error
her
her
This is an ambiguous pronoun. We are not sure to whom "her" refers. The sentence should use her name.
Example Question #2 :Identifying Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Many experts advocatechanginghow children learnto write,theorizingthattheywill have more success in the long run.No error
they
theorizing
changing
to write
No error
they
"They" is an ambiguous pronoun reference—it could refer to either "experts" or "children."
Example Question #1 :Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
After the party,Janet organized herbedroom, collectedseveral bags of clothing fordonation, anddroveitto the local thrift store.No error
After the party,
No error
donation, and
it
bedroom, collected
it
The error in this sentence is the use of the word "it" to refer to "several bags of clothing." In this case, the pronoun—"it"— is singular when it should be plural ("them").
Example Question #2 :Identifying Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Jeff gave up alucrative private law practiceto become an apprentice shoemaker,andhis wifecould notbelieve hedid it.No error.
and
could not
lucrative private law practice
No error.
did it
did it
This sentence uses the pronoun “it” to describe an action: giving up a job and becoming an apprentice shoemaker. The pronoun “so” is used to refer to actions. The corrected sentence reads: "Jeff gave up a lucrative private law practice to become an apprentice shoemaker, and his wife could not believe he did so."
Example Question #728 :Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Despiteit'spositive critical reception, manymembers of the general publicdisliked the play,believing that the directorbetrayed his homegrown roots in order toappeal toa wealthier audience.No error
appeal to
members of the general public
believing that the director
No error
it's
it's
"It's" is an abbreviation for "it is." Here, "its" should be used in order to show possession. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "it's."
Example Question #721 :Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Giventhat the mother walks very slowly and that the sonneverseems to be in much of a rush,it issafe to say that the family likes to taketheirtime.No error
their
never
it is
Given
No error
their
"Family" is singular. Therefore, the possessive pronoun that refers to it should be singular as well. Thus, "its" should be used instead of "their."
Example Question #1 :Identifying Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
While thereareadvantages to doing freelance work,itis outweighed by thestress ofhaving aninconsistentincome.No error
it
are
stress of
inconsistent
No error
it
The underlined word, "it," refers to the "advantages of freelance work," which is plural. Therefore, "it," a singular pronoun, should be changed to the plural pronoun "they."
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